The Topic: Over the last three semesters, we have examined the Science of Nature and the Nature of Science. Specifically, we've looked at how we use the foundations of scientific practice to explore the evidence, causes, and implications of past and present global change, and examine the use of scientific knowledge and communication when making decisions for the future. Ultimately, we aim for the program to help students plan for resilience in a future of global change.
One misunderstanding of the scientific method that I have noticed is the fake news spread by our government regarding Tylenol and its link to autism. SGC has taught me not to trust a claim just because it happens to line up affirmingly. What I mean by this is: correlation does not mean causation! In this instance with Tylenol, our government believes that taking Tylenol when pregnant increases the risk of bearing a child with autism, and taking it in general is now ill-advised. Citizens and mothers who happen to be taking Tylenol have a correlation with increased diagnoses of autism not because of the Tylenol, but because of society’s increased awareness of autism and increased skills in identifying it. There is no scientific data supporting the hypothesis that Tylenol results in autism of any form. SGC taught me to be skeptical of claims not backed by data, even when preached by a high ranking government official.
A topic that SGC has been helpful in enhancing my attitude and approach toward my major is environmental modeling. Throughout lectures, guest speakers, and even the practicum showcase, a predominant form of environmental data collection I noticed was environmental modelling. Mathematics as a major seems pretty linear, and I often wonder what I am going to do with my major. However, math ties into data analysis, as well as modelling. Environmental modelling seems like a way to tie in my appreciation for math and numbers with my love of environmentalism. Now, with AI integration on the rise, I could also use my knowledge obtained by working as an Data Annotation Specialist, a remote AI training job, with modelling, math, and environmentalism.
Geology 100 has taught me much about Earth’s systems and how features form over many many years of transformation. This course has continuously taught me evidence-based reasoning, with many strategies used to understand previously unsupported claims about Earth’s structure. One strategy, for example, is to look at a finished geologic feature, such as mountains or volcanoes, then compare it to a currently forming feature. This allows us to date features and understand how they form. It is a scientific approach that understands the features of the Earth may seem random, but all form from similar criteria and stresses.
Another supporting class I took was AREC365. This class dove into the unequal levels of poverty and starvation distributed throughout our world. Although the entire class was interesting, one fact particularly stood out to me was that we as a population have enough food production so that no human goes malnourished, but the distribution of food is so poor that many still starve. Food waste is a large portion of the problem, also causing environmental downsides such as CO2 emissions. If we as a society improved food efficiency and transport, there would be significantly less hunger and we would have a healthier Earth. If we listen to the evidence and agree as a species, we would be much more efficient in solving world hunger, helping the environment, and improving quality of life as a species.
Interaction with fellow scholars made me feel included, especially since I lived on the same floor as a few other SGC students. We could always talk about the state of environmentalism and our current views on the topic of climate change. It was important for me to understand that there were others out there who want to make a positive change to our planet in a world of uncertainty.
I have contributed to Scholars through in-class group discussions with my peers. Groupwork was common in SGC and allowed me to speak my ideas around climate change solutions and major factors while hearing out those around me. I interviewed many from the Practicum Showcase, which shaped my understanding of possible internship and research opportunities. Contributions to Scholars directly connected me to new viewpoints, interesting people, and opportunities.
Scholars constantly challenged my viewpoints on climate change and how we as a society react to it. I was taken aback by how much damage we as a society have already caused to the environment, and the level of change that we must implement in order to halt anthropogenic climate change. It is a contribution of every scale: individual, societal, governmental, and global. It is hard to pinpoint a leading cause for climate change, as it is the accumulation of inefficiency and waste that leads to the degradation of our planet. Then, by the end semester I was challenged to think about the positives of our current situation - which is surprisingly hard. We have many solutions in place to combat climate change, many of which simply need implementation. I have learned that in the long run, renewable energy sources are cheaper than non-renewables. It is the price and effort of installing a new grid and sources of energy that deter us from building the necessary infrastructure. If we can get enough people motivated to change, there will be nothing but benefits to our society and its efficiency.
Scholars will inform my future in many ways, one of them being taking with me the scientific thought process. Skepticism, noticing logical fallacies, and checking evidence backing up claims are all important in this pivotal time of artificial intelligence and fake news. Along with an efficient thought process, I will carry with me respect for our environment and Earth’s systems, which have managed to continue sustaining us even after all we have put them though. What matters now is how we treat them back. I will work on my part to limit carbon footprint and waste, as well as voice my opinions on climate change and what we should do about it. SGC has shaped my understanding of the world around me into a scientific mindset backed by evidence and experiments formed by those before me. I will carry my knowledge and reasoning with me, tying it into my mathematics major.